International Scientific Studies Conference concludes

Over 600 participants gathered from 10 to 12 June 2009 in Vienna, Austria, for the International Scientific Studies (ISS) Conference. The ISS Conference was a major global undertaking uniting around 450 scientists from 86 countries in the most complex independent assessment to date of the CTBT's capability and readiness to detect nuclear explosions anywhere on the planet. The meeting was opened by Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger (image).

CTBTO Commended for Swift Reaction to Announced DPRK Nuclear Test

(CTBTO)

At this year's first regular meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Member States expressed their satisfaction with the CTBTO's swift reaction to the nuclear test announced by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 25 May 2009. The CTBTO had distributed precise seismic data to Member States hours before the event was officially announced and presented its initial findings through technical briefings conducted on the day of the event and after.

Experts Meet to Learn from CTBT Negotiation Process

(CTBTO)

Taking place directly after the ISS Conference, a second meeting of experts near Vienna, Austria, was dedicated to the CTBT. This time the focus was on negotiations leading to the CTBT's adoption. The event, which was hosted by the International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA) and the Process of International Negotiations Program (PIN) at the historic Laxenburg castle (image), discussed which lessons could be drawn from the Treaty's negotiations to promote its universalization and for the negotiation of future arms control agreements.

Experts Sure about Nature of the DPRK Event

(CTBTO)

Verification experts gathered at the ISS Conference agreed that the CTBTO's precise seismic data on the nuclear test announced by the DPRK on 25 May 2009 clearly indicate a nuclear explosion. At the same time it was pointed out that definitive clarity could only by brought about by an on-site inspection. Such inspections will only be possible after the CTBT has entered into force.

Seize Current Momentum to sign, ratify, Secretary-General Says in Strong Appeal for Entry Into Force of the CTBT

(UN Department of Public Information)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued a powerful statement in support of the CTBT's entry into force: "There is no doubt that the longer the Treaty is delayed, the greater the risks and consequences that nuclear weapons will again be tested. By outlawing all nuclear tests, the CTBT in force would greatly contribute to global efforts to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons while advancing nuclear disarmament."

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 (2009), adopted unanimously, "[c]ondemns in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 25 May 2009" and "[c]alls upon the DPRK to join the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at the earliest date." In their respective explanations of decision, several Security Council Member Countries underlined the importance of the resolution's call regarding the CTBT.

Pyongyang Preparing for Third Nuke Test

(The Korea Herald)

According to a South Korean news report, a South Korean intelligence agency has said that "(We) have started running a surveillance network based on information that Pyongyang may conduct a third nuclear test in protest of the United Nations Security Council's sanctions". At the same time, North Korea has stated "The process of uranium enrichment will be commenced," adding that the country "would weaponize all plutonium" (image: ring of plutonium).

Indonesia Says to Ratify Nuclear Treaty after US

(AFP)

"We share his vision of a world in which nuclear weapons have been eradicated," Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said on a visit to Washington. Referring to U.S. President Obama's declared intention of submitting the CTBT to the U.S. Senate for ratification, he added: "We trust that he will succeed in getting the CTBT ratified — and we promise that when that happens, Indonesia will immediately follow suit."

The CTBT Debate Begins Again

(The Bulletin)

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists reports on a debate on CTBT ratification hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in which a high-profile proponent of the CTBT, Daryl Kimball (image), executive director of the Arms Control Association, exchanged arguments with a high-profile opponent, former Bush administration official Stephen Rademaker. The discussion gives a foretaste of the debate to come when the Senate reconsiders CTBT ratification.

Nuclear Disarmament More Urgent than Ever

(Business Mirror)

According to Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, U.S. ratification of the CTBT would be an important step forward in reducing the dangers posed today by nuclear weapons. This danger is, according to the author, mainly caused by "the failure of the members of the nuclear club to fulfill their obligations under the nonproliferation treaty to move towards the elimination of nuclear weapons."